Traffic signs

• Triangle with a red border: warning of danger ahead.
• Round with a red border: a ban or a limit.
• Round and blue: a mandatory instruction, you must do something.
• Square and blue: information, or the start of a type of road or zone.
• Grey symbols with a diagonal line: the end of a ban or zone.

Priority signs have their own shape, so you can recognise them from behind or under snow.

• B1 (yellow diamond): priority road. B2: end of priority road.
• B3: crossroads where you have priority.
• B6 (upside-down triangle): give way.
• B7 (octagon): stop and give way.

A round sign with a red border and a number (A1) is a speed limit: you may not drive faster. A grey number with a diagonal line (A2) is the end of it.

A blue square sign with a number (A4) is an advisory speed. It is not a legal limit, but it is the speed that is safe at that spot, for example in a bend.

A speed sign with the word ZONE applies in the whole zone, until you see the end sign.

• C1 (empty red circle): closed to all vehicles in both directions.
• C2 (red with a white bar): no entry for vehicles in this direction.
• C6: closed to cars (motor vehicles with more than two wheels).
• C14: closed to bicycles and mopeds. C17: closed to pedestrians.
• F1: no overtaking for motor vehicles. F2: end of the overtaking ban.

These signs are blue with a red border.

• E1 (one red stripe): no parking. Stopping briefly to let someone get in or out, or to load and unload, is allowed.
• E2 (red cross): no stopping. You may not stop here at all, not even briefly.
• E4 (blue P): you may park here.

• D1: roundabout, follow the direction of the arrows.
• D2: keep right, for example past a traffic island.
• G7: footpath, only for pedestrians.
• G11: compulsory cycle path. Cyclists must use it; cars may not drive on it.

These signs tell you which rules apply from here on.

• G1: motorway (autosnelweg). G3: expressway (autoweg).
• G5: residential zone (woonerf), drive at walking pace.
• H1: start of the built-up area (bebouwde kom), usually 50 km/h now applies.
• L2: pedestrian crossing (zebra crossing).

The same sign with a red stripe (such as G2, G4, G6) means: end of that road or zone.

A triangle with a red border is placed before the danger, so you have time to adjust your speed. Examples: a dangerous crossroads, a sharp bend, a roundabout, children, crossing cyclists or a risk of queues.

Note: a warning sign for a crossroads does not mean you have priority. Look for signs and shark teeth yourself.

• A1 (round, red border): speed limit. Mandatory.
• A4 (blue square with a number): advisory speed. Not mandatory, but good advice.
• Zone sign: the limit applies in the whole area until the 'end of zone' sign.

A sign with black or grey diagonal stripes or a red diagonal stripe usually means the end of a rule or type of road.

Examples: end of speed limit, end of no overtaking, end of priority road, end of motorway, end of residential zone.

A round sign with a red border and a picture bans that kind of vehicle or road user, for example cars, lorries, mopeds, bicycles or pedestrians.

A number with m or t is a limit: maximum height or maximum weight.

• Round blue signs with an arrow: you must follow that direction (for example straight on, turn right, keep right).
• Round with a red border and a crossed-out arrow: that direction is banned (for example no left turn, no U-turn).

Triangular signs warn you of what is ahead: slippery road, road works, level crossing with or without barriers, two-way traffic, road narrows, steep hill, trams, cattle or side wind.

When you see one, look extra carefully and adjust your speed.

Square or rectangular blue signs give information: a pedestrian crossing, a parking place, a dead end, a one-way street, a tunnel or a bus lane.

Sub-signs (onderborden) under a sign make the rule more precise, for example with times, a distance or a type of vehicle.